Drip nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertigation of 'Spadona' pear
Co-Authors:
Klein, I., Institute of Horticulture, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Meimon, A., Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Afula, Israel
Skedi, D., Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Afula, Israel
Abstract:
A field trial was carried out for 4 years in Kibbutz Lavee, Israel, to study the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertigation of the pear (Pyrus communis, cv. Spadona) under drip irrigation, in order to improve yield and fruit size of a 19-year-old plantation. Fertigation treatments consisted of a basic N and K rate, applied uniformly to the entire orchard, supplemented with either K alone, K and N or K and P. Supplemented fertilizers were applied under the drippers in 5-6 doses, during April-May. Potassium and P fertigation raised soil concentration of these two nutrients significantly. Concentration was raised to a greater extent at the 0-30 cm soil layer than at the 30-60 cm layer. The pear was not affected by N or K fertigation, indicating sufficient level of these nutrients. Phosphorus raised leaf P significantly and steadily, fruit P significantly in one year and the yield in the last three years by 30% (p=0.084). Fruit size was not affected by N, P, or K nutrition. The threshold and optimal concentrations values of P in 10-week-old mid-shoot leaves for interpretation of leaf analysis of 'Spadona' pear were found to be 0.14% and 0.15%, respectively.
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Last updated date:
02/03/2022 17:27
Creation date:
17/04/2018 00:56